Satellite Link Weather Nowcasting for Signal Attenuation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current satellite communication systems face challenges in predicting and adapting to rapid changes in communication channel attenuation due to weather conditions, leading to high resource usage and potential link cutoffs, as existing systems can only measure attenuation in real-time and not provide short-term future predictions.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing nowcasting to predict weather conditions along communication paths, calculating signal attenuation integrals, and dynamically adjusting communication link characteristics to mitigate anticipated attenuation, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing the likelihood of link failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high power margins are employed to reduce link cutoffs during fast weather changes, then reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink reliabilityVSAvoidpower margin consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary weather nowcasting to predict future attenuation conditions before they occur. By forecasting weather developments in advance, the system can proactively adjust communication parameters ahead of actual signal degradation, avoiding the need for excessive power margins while maintaining link reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters based on real-time weather nowcasting predictions. Instead of using static high power margins, the system adapts transmission power, coding, and modulation schemes according to predicted attenuation conditions, optimizing the balance between reliability and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If real-time attenuation measurement is used, then measurement precision is improved, but the response time is too slow due to propagation and processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattenuation measurement accuracyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary weather nowcasting to predict future attenuation conditions before they occur. By forecasting weather developments in advance, the system can proactively adjust communication parameters ahead of actual signal degradation, avoiding the need for excessive power margins while maintaining link reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces weather nowcasting predictions as an intermediary between weather conditions and communication parameter adjustments. Instead of directly measuring and reacting to attenuation with inherent delays, the system uses weather forecasts as a leading indicator to anticipate and prepare for future attenuation conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If closed loop ACM mechanism is employed, then adaptability is improved, but the response speed is slow due to processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication adaptation capabilityVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary weather nowcasting to predict future attenuation conditions before they occur. By forecasting weather developments in advance, the system can proactively adjust communication parameters ahead of actual signal degradation, avoiding the need for excessive power margins while maintaining link reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enhances the closed-loop ACM mechanism by incorporating weather nowcasting feedback. Instead of relying solely on delayed attenuation measurements, the system uses predictive weather information to guide parameter adjustments, creating a faster and more proactive feedback loop that improves response speed while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3097568B1Method and system for dynamically adjusting communication characteristics of satellite communication links based on weather nowcasting

Publication Date: 2020.08.19 ADVANTECH WIRELESS LTD

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AI summary

A method and system for adjusting satellite communication network based on weather nowcasting are provided herein. The method may include: receiving weather conditions within a specified geographic region from a plurality of sources; obtaining positions of at least one terrestrial terminal within said specified area and a position of a communication satellite being in communication with said at least one terrestrial terminal; generating nowcasting predictions of weather conditions in a plurality of locations along communication paths between said communication satellite and said at least one terrestrial terminals, based on the received weather conditions; calculating total signal attenuation integral along said communication paths, over time, based on said nowcasting predictions; and dynamically adjusting communication characteristics of the at least one terrestrial terminal according to the calculated total signal attenuation.